A wide array of media and technology that can reach a diverse and large audience via mass communication is known as mass media. Mass media occurs through a variety of outlets.
The primary method of communication to reach a vast majority of the general public is through mass media. Some of the most common platforms are the internet, magazines, newspapers, television and radio. The public generally depends upon the various mass media platforms to obtain information on topics such as social issues, entertainment, political issues, and news in pop culture.
- Admission to most postgraduate mass communication programmes at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) is now made through the CUET PG examination conducted by the National Testing Agency
- Doordarshan began experimental television transmission on 15 September 1959 and started regular daily service in 1965
- All India Radio, established in 1936, remains India's public radio broadcaster.
What Are the Main Types of Mass Media Courses?
Mass media education in India spans broadcast, print, and digital forms of communication. Popular undergraduate and postgraduate courses include the Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC), Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM), Master of Mass Communication (MMC), and various PG diplomas that train students across journalism, advertising, and public relations.
Films, radio, recorded music, and television are some of the methods through which broadcast media transmit information electronically to the general public. Both the internet and mobile communication come under the broad prospects of digital media. The internet is a vast means of communication that contains various services such as websites, radio, television, email, and social media sites through which people can communicate with each other with ease.
Physical media can also be divided into two types, outdoor media and print media. Outdoor media includes placards, billboards, blimps, AR advertising, kiosks, shops, commercial buildings, sports stadiums, signs, subway cars, and skywriting. Print media includes physical objects such as magazines, books, comics, and pamphlets.
A large number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses are available for mass communication and media. Some of the courses generally chosen by students are:
- BJMC (Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication)
- BJ (Bachelor of Journalism)
- BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication)
- MJMC (Master of Journalism and Mass Communication)
- MJ (Master of Journalism)
- MMC (Master of Mass Communication)
- PG Diploma in Mass Communication
What Is the Eligibility for Mass Media Courses?
Eligibility for mass media courses varies by institution. For undergraduate programmes, candidates must have passed Class 12 in any stream from a recognised board, usually with 50 to 60 percent marks. For postgraduate programmes, a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university with a similar minimum percentage is generally required.
The eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate courses vary depending upon the institution. The basic criteria are as follows:
- UG Courses: Candidates should have passed Class 12 in any stream from a recognised board with a minimum of 50 to 60 percent marks. Candidates should also be at least 17 years of age at the time of admission.
- PG Courses: Candidates should hold a graduation certificate in any discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 50 to 60 percent marks.
Mass Communication and Media Skillset Required
- Creativity
- Communication skills
- Networking skills
- Interviewing skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Critical thinking
- Confidence
- Ability to work under strict deadlines
- Research skills
- Observation skills
- Interpretation skills
- Ability to work under rough conditions
- Ability to express ideas and thoughts clearly
- Aptitude for presenting information in a precise and effective manner
What Are the Main Mass Media Specializations?
Mass media offers several specializations that students choose based on their interests and strengths. The most common are journalism, broadcasting, public relations, event management, and advertising. Each stream builds a distinct skill set, from reporting and editing news to managing brand image, organising events, and creating persuasive promotional campaigns for clients.
Journalism
Journalism began with writing, and through these writings, the public was made aware of the various happenings occurring around the world. The main job of a journalist is to obtain, assess, create, and present news that could be made easily available to the general public.
A bachelor's degree in mass communication covers subjects that delve deeper into the world of journalism, such as the history of media, how to write for media, the style, the pattern, and how to produce newsworthy content. Various categories that come under the field of journalism include sports, technology, politics, and entertainment.
Broadcasting
The face of mass media is broadcasting. Media connects to the masses worldwide through television, radio, and webcasting with the help of broadcasts. In India, radio broadcasting dates back to 1936 with the establishment of All India Radio, and the field of broadcasting grew steadily thereafter.
Television was introduced in India in 1959, and daily transmission began in 1965. With the help of broadcast media, the public can receive quality content in the form of audio and visuals. Journalism and mass communication graduates can take up jobs in various media channels such as TV and radio, working as reporters reporting live from abroad or as anchors of leading media channels. Students can work with the production or camera crew as well.
Public Relations
Upholding the organisation's reputation while building and promoting the brand image is what public relations are all about. Maintaining a positive image between the public and the media is the main focus of a PR manager.
Event Management
Planning, creating, and organising an event is all carried out by event managers. An event can include various programmes and can range from a rock concert to a political rally to a college fest.
People specialize in various areas in the event management sector, such as handling budgets and accounts, logistics, and creative work as part of the event management group. Gathering the right target audience and promoting the brand is the main aim of planning an event. The various types of events that are hosted are as follows:
- Awards
- Parties
- Launches
- VIP events
- Exhibitions
- Sports events and meetings
- Roadshows
- Conferences
- Weddings
- Festivals
- Concerts
- Charity events
- Fashion events
Advertising
For advertising to be successful, the content needs to be creative, interesting, and eye-catching. Means of communication through paid promotion from clients for a product or a service is known as advertising. Making, creating, and promoting an idea that the client wants, with or without payment, is the main aim of advertising.
Career Counselling — The Complete GuideRead →What Jobs Can You Get After Mass Communication?
Ample career opportunities are available in various media fields for those candidates who have completed a mass communication course. A career in film, journalism, public relations, filmmaking, scriptwriting, advertising, television, publishing, editing, event management, production, and direction are some of the different jobs a professional course in mass communication can lead to after graduation.
Depending on their interest, a professional with a mass media degree can also choose to be an actor, video jockey, editor, event manager, copywriter, journalist, radio jockey, director, screenwriter, advertising agent, or media planner.
Which Are the Top Mass Communication Entrance Exams?
The candidates' performance in the written entrance exam, as well as the personal interview round, is how admission to the majority of colleges and universities offering mass communication and media courses is made. Based on their performance in the qualifying examination in Class 12 or graduation, some institutes also offer direct admission to their mass media programmes.
Some of the top mass communication entrance exams are as follows:
- CUET (Common University Entrance Test), used by central universities and IIMC's postgraduate programmes
- Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam
- XIC OET (Xavier Institute of Communications)
- IIMC Entrance Exam (regional-language diploma courses)
- FTII JET (Film and Television Institute of India Joint Entrance Test)
- JNUEE (via CUET)
Top colleges providing mass media and communication courses in India are as follows:
- Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi
- Christ University, Bengaluru
- Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi
- Madras Christian College (MCC), Chennai
- Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC), Pune
- Amity School of Communication, Delhi
Top courses that are chosen by students pursuing a career in mass media and communication are as follows:
- Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Communication (PGDCC)
- B.A. (Hons.) Journalism and Media Studies
- Post Graduate Diploma in Communication with Masters in Mass Communication
- Post Graduate Diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communication
- Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC)
- B.A. (Psychology, Journalism, English)
- B.A. (Hons) in Liberal Arts
- B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication
- B.Des. in Visual Communication (Graphics)
- PG Programme in Fashion Communication
What Is the Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM)?
One of the most sought-after courses after Class 12 is the Bachelor of Mass Media, also known as BMM. It is an undergraduate three-year course that includes the study of various forms of mass communication, which include newspapers, radio, television, and the internet, along with practical training in the field.
With the world changing and progressing every day, a career in media is a very attractive prospect for graduates, and a Bachelor of Mass Media offers a wide range of job opportunities. It teaches all the necessary technical skills required by a student to be successful in their chosen field of media. The course also imparts other essential skills such as presentation skills, verbal communication skills, and research aptitude to the candidates.
Skillset for BMM Candidates
- Creativity
- Research skills
- Communication skills
- Analytical skills
- Interpretation skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Observation skills
- Interviewing skills
- Confidence
- Networking skills
Bachelor of Mass Media: Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should have passed Class 12 in any stream from a recognised board, usually with a minimum of 50 to 60 percent marks. This eligibility criterion might change depending on the admission policies of the college or university to which the candidate is applying.
The Course Curriculum for Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM)
The Bachelor of Mass Media is a three-year course that has been divided into six semesters. Candidates usually have to select an area of specialization such as advertising, journalism, or PR in the final year.
The candidates are taught both theory and are provided with practical training in the form of group discussions, seminars, and field visits. Internships are also another major component of the course that students are required to take up in the third or fourth semester.
Job Profiles for a BMM Graduate
Given below are some of the popular job profiles that BMM graduates can consider pursuing:
- Director: The dramatic as well as the artistic aspects of a film or TV programme are controlled by the director. The director also guides the actors, visualizes the screenplay, and supports the crew to ensure that the vision is fulfilled.
- Sound Engineer: All the technical equipment that is used to amplify, record, and mix sound is maintained and operated by the sound engineer. Identifying the sound requirements for a given project and carrying out the actions necessary to produce that sound is the major role of the sound engineer.
- Event Manager: An event manager manages the whole event. Coordinating the details of an event and managing the whole process from the planning stage to the final execution, as well as the post-event evaluation, is the main duty of the event manager.
How Does Mass Media Impact Society?
Mass media have made a huge impact on all societies as well as their cultures. Globalization has now been made widespread largely due to the help imparted by mass media. Furthermore, media are a storehouse of information. Mass media also have a profound impact on people's lifestyles and culture.
The power vested in the hands of mass media can make or break the belief of the people or start a movement for the right cause and, if used wisely, can even change the world for the better.